Synopses & Reviews
In the deep blue waters of Lake Superior lies a small island of hummingbirds, rabbits, and hardy Norwegian fishing folk. On that island lives a boy named Carl who wants nothing more than to be out on the water in a boat of his own making. So this is a story of sawing, nailing, and sanding. But because Sand Island neighbors are closer than cousins, this is also a story of picking strawberries, moving rocks, and mending fishing nets fine as lace.
Review
"A subtle, beautifully crafted story about hard work, simple joys, and the small, warm communities of the historic upper–Midwest."
Review
"Lyrical tale, told in the rhythms of lapping water."
Review
"Thoughtful readers will appreciate this low–key tribute to a child's determination, and to the mutual respect that binds a community together."
Review
"There is pleasure, a sense of wonder, and appreciation for small details in nature and community in this celebration of a boy's first success. The writing has a smooth, easy-rhythm and flow of oars dipping and lifting through the water, and with each immersion a fine thought surfaces."
Review
"Johnson's watercolors rely on pale, mottled tones punctuated with fine yet crisp black lines; this technique results in an interestingly translucent, Japanese aura in the scenes of nature."
Review
and#147;A subtle, beautifully crafted story about hard work, simple joys, and the small, warm communities of the historic upperand#150;Midwest.and#8221; Booklist, ALA, Starred Review
and#147;Lyrical tale, told in the rhythms of lapping water.and#8221; Publishers Weekly, Starred
"There is pleasure, a sense of wonder, and appreciation for small details in nature and community in this celebration of a boy's first success. The writing has a smooth, easy-rhythm and flow of oars dipping and lifting through the water, and with each immersion a fine thought surfaces." School Library Journal
and#147;Thoughtful readers will appreciate this lowand#150;key tribute to a childand#8217;s determination, and to the mutual respect that binds a community together.and#8221; Kirkus Reviews
"Johnson's watercolors rely on pale, mottled tones punctuated with fine yet crisp black lines; this technique results in an interestingly translucent, Japanese aura in the scenes of nature." The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
About the Author
Jacqueline Briggs Martin is the author of Snowflake Bentley, winner of the 1999 Caldecott Medal, and The Lamp, the Ice, and the Boat Called Fish, an ALA Notable Book, a Bulletin Blue Ribbon Book, Riverbank Review Finalist, Notable Social Studies Trade book and winner of The Golden Kite Award for Illustration. She grew up on a farm in Maine much like the one in this story. She lives in Mt. Vernon, Iowa.David A. Johnson is the talented illustrator of several children's books. His illustrations have also appeared in The New Yorker, Harper's Magazine, and the Atlantic Monthly. He lives in snowy eastern Connecticut with illustrator Barbara McClintock.